The American Hardware Manufacturers Association’s AHMA Home Improvement Industry Confidence Index’s Current Situation Index declined slightly in January to 270.8 from an all-time high of 291.7 in December (October 2008 = 100), while the Future Expectations Index improved to 250 from 224.1 a month earlier.

“The new year began on a positive note with 65% of our member respondents reporting sales above year-ago levels," said AHMA CEO Timothy Farrell.